Free Things to Do in Ann Arbor That Are Actually Cool

Because broke doesn’t mean boring.

Ann Arbor might have a reputation for pricey lattes and bougie brunches, but you don’t have to drain your wallet to enjoy what this town has to offer. Whether you're a student on a budget, a local looking for a low-key weekend, or just someone who appreciates the thrill of free stuff, you're in the right place.

Here’s your guide to free (and actually cool) things to do in Ann Arbor—no coupon clipping or awkward donation jar side-eye required.

🎨 1. Wander the University of Michigan Museum of Art (UMMA)

• Vibe: Chill, inspiring, free serotonin via art

• UMMA is shockingly good—for real. Big names like Picasso and Warhol? They’re here. Bonus: the exhibits rotate regularly and there's usually something weird and thought-provoking.

• 📍 525 S State St

Pro tip: Bring a notebook or sketchpad and pretend you’re deep in thought—it’s a vibe.

🌿 2. Explore Nichols Arboretum (aka “The Arb”)

• Vibe: Wholesome nature therapy

• It’s basically a forest oasis right on campus. Hike, hammock, picnic, or wander aimlessly until your problems feel smaller. In the spring? Peony Garden. Pure joy.

• 📍 1610 Washington Heights

Pro tip: If you go at golden hour, it’s practically cinematic. Great for a mental reset or dramatic solo walks.

📚 3. Get Lost in an Ann Arbor District Library

• Vibe: Book nerd heaven

• Not just books—they’ve got free workshops, tools you can borrow (like telescopes and synthesizers??), local zines, and even 3D printing.

• 📍 343 S Fifth Ave (Downtown location)

Pro tip: Check their events calendar. You’ll find poetry readings, game nights, and all kinds of low-key social fun.

🎵 4. Catch Free Concerts & Events Around Town

• Vibe: Low-cost entertainment with surprisingly good sound quality

• In warmer months, A2 is packed with free live music—whether it's at Top of the Park (part of the Ann Arbor Summer Festival), Sonic Lunch, or random open mics in coffee shops.

• Pro tip: Bring a blanket, some snacks, and your chillest friends.

• 🖼️ 5. Do a Self-Guided Street Art & Mural Tour

• Vibe: Colorful, urban, highly Instagrammable

• Ann Arbor’s walls are covered in beautiful, strange, and politically-charged art. Walk around downtown, Kerrytown, or near campus—you’ll find hidden gems (and yes, fairy doors too).

Bonus game: See how many fairy doors you can spot. They’re tiny. They’re adorable. They’re very A2.

🌧️ 6. Visit the Natural History Museum

• Vibe: Dinosaurs, stars, and nerdy joy

• Fossils, a planetarium (some shows are free), and hands-on exhibits. And it's right on campus, in a stunning modern building.

• 📍 1105 N University Ave

Pro tip: Great rainy day activity or low-pressure date idea.

🥕 7. Browse the Kerrytown Farmers Market (Even If You Don’t Buy Anything)

• Vibe: Peak wholesome Ann Arbor

• It’s free to walk around, sample things, people-watch, pet dogs, and pretend you have your life together enough to buy organic radishes. Saturday mornings are bustling!

• 📍 315 Detroit St

Pro tip: Some vendors offer free samples. Go early if you want produce, go late if you want chill.

⛲ 8. Hang Out at Liberty Plaza (for People-Watching & Weird Vibes)

• Vibe: A little gritty, a little chaotic, very real

• This tiny public space downtown often has live music, local characters, and a healthy dose of Ann Arbor’s weird energy. Not for everyone—but if you love street performers and spontaneous community moments, this is the spot.

  
  

🚲 9. Walk or Bike the Border-to-Border Trail

• Vibe: Peaceful, scenic, unexpectedly long

• This trail weaves through parks, riverbanks, and into nature. It’s totally free and great for a long thinking walk, sunset ride, or podcast-listening escape from the noise.

  
  

💬 10. Go to a Free Workshop or Talk on Campus

• Vibe: Stimulate your brain—for $0

• UMich has constant events that are open to the public: lectures, panels, film screenings, visiting authors. Check university calendars or just wander into a building with flyers.

Pro tip: Free food sometimes involved.

Bonus: Window Shop Along Main Street

• Not technically an “activity,” but trust—Main Street is a vibrant. Window browsing at places like Vault of Midnight (comic store) or 16 Hands (local art + gifts) is surprisingly therapeutic.